November 25, corresponding to 5 Azar, marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This day was first recognized as an international occasion by the United Nations in 1999, aiming to raise public awareness about violence against women and girls and to work toward ending this global crisis. Nevertheless, the statistics on violence against women, particularly in the Middle East, remain alarmingly high. According to reports from HRANA (Human Rights Activists News Agency), at least 78 women and girls in Iran were killed during the first six months of this year in 44 cities across the country, often due to so-called “honor” reasons and at the hands of family members or other men.

In Afghanistan, the figures are even more staggering. Based on findings by the Ravi Zan media outlet, nearly 2,000 incidents of violence against women occurred in Afghanistan from August 2023 to August 2024. These include murder, forced marriage, sexual assault, child marriage, flogging, physical abuse, and denial of inheritance rights. (1)

A glimpse into the lived realities of Afghan women—of their pain, hopes, and aspirations in contemporary times, the historical oppression they have endured, and the atrocities inflicted by the Taliban—can be found in the collection of short stories titled The Voice of Freedom by authors Mohammad Asif Soltanzadeh and Zainab Entezar. These stories delve into themes such as love, poverty, migration, violence, and simple human dreams. Through their characters, Soltanzadeh and Entezar amplify the voices of ordinary Afghans, offering readers a window into their lives. The detailed descriptions and narrative style foster empathy and connection with readers, presenting a realistic portrayal of Afghanistan’s socio-political landscape. With straightforward and unembellished language, the authors capture the challenges faced by Afghan society. Their goal is to echo the voices of Afghan women—voices often overshadowed by the tumult of wars and political upheavals.

The book highlights the plight of women imprisoned for seeking freedom and the misogynistic laws imposed by the Taliban to maintain control over the populace. It provides a stark portrayal of Taliban restrictions on women, including:

“The windows of all residential houses must be painted or covered with curtains to shield women inside from the view of passersby. Photographing or displaying images of women in the media is prohibited. Women are barred from entering women-only parks. Girls over the age of eight are forbidden from pursuing education. Cycling and riding motorcycles are banned for women, even in the presence of male guardians. Women are prohibited from standing on balconies or appearing at windows. Women are forbidden from working in mixed-gender workplaces or working at all. Women are not allowed to ride in taxis without a male guardian.”

In another part of the book, the authors write:

“I firmly believe that women worldwide are taking the helm of political and cultural change. Afghan women, too, will lead this transformation in a deeply conservative and patriarchal society resistant to progress. The world’s men, exhausted from working in the corridors of global political think tanks and lost in the labyrinth of international diplomacy, are increasingly unable to find solutions to humanity’s crises. They create wars and fail to manage them. From now on, it will be women who drive revolutions and transformations, and the voice of freedom this time is a woman’s voice.” (2)

The Voice of Freedom combines local and global elements to present a realistic and artistic image of Afghanistan’s social and cultural conditions, drawing readers into the struggles and hardships of this complex society.

Book Title: The Voice of Freedom
Authors: Mohammad Asif Soltanzadeh and Zainab Entezar
Publication Date (Solar Hijri): 1403
Publisher: Nashr Ney